Stitch a Textured Cardigan with Nydia

I bought the Nydia Pullover by Vanessa Smith when it came out, though I haven’t knit it yet (my pattern stash is almost as big a problem as my yarn stash!). I was sure that I wrote about how much I loved if back when it came out, but I guess I didn’t share that one one with. If you’re more into pullovers, be sure to check that one out on Ravelry, too.

But now that there’s a cardigan version, I’m probably going to have to buy that one, too.

The Nydia cardigan uses the same pretty textured lace pattern that from a distance looks sort of like linen stitch. It’s easy to knit and works up pretty quickly in DK weight yarn. The pattern is a top down raglan with lateral braided edgings separating the ribbing from the main body stitch pattern.

This design is totally customizable. It’s written with options for a cropped length or standard full length, and with 3/4 or long sleeves. It has 12 size options ranging from a chest measurement of 29.85 inches to 63.25 inches, but the pattern also includes instructions for customizing the chest measurement to your specifications. It’s meant to be worn with zero to 2 inches of negative ease (meaning the sweater is either the same size or up to 2 inches smaller than your full bust measurement).

The pattern is so pretty and it looks somehow dressed up and casual at the same time.

Now I’m just going to need a worsted weight version to be my wear all the time when I’m in the house sweater. I’m sure I could figure it out from all the size options and mods available in this fun pattern.

You can learn more and grab your copy of the pattern from Ravelry.

[Photo: Vanessa Smith.]

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Many times when I write these posts I will say something like “you can use any yarn you want” or “this would be a great stash-busting project.” That’s just how my mind works. And my stash, too, since I probably have sweater quantity of two or three yarns at most, but tons of singles and odd balls and leftovers.

Blankets are generally a really good way to use up those bits, but in this case, I think you’re going to want to plan it out a bit better.

Looking at photos of the Color Study Blanket from Purl Soho, it looks like it’s made with two yarns held together, and that block in the center is worked with one of each color from the adjoining sides to make a mixed up color.

But that’s not actually how it’s done. This is three separate colors (four, really, with the neutrals in the corners) chosen form a yarn with an expansive palette so they play off each other. The project calls for a worsted weight superwash wool, which is a great choice for a blanket that’s both warm and washable.

This pattern was originally designed by Laura Ferguson and was updated by Hiromi Glover. It is worked in one piece in garter stitch intarsia, which is a great way to learn the intarsia technique if you don’t already know it. It comes in crib or throw sizes.

Despite the introduction to this post, I am going to go ahead and say that, yes, of course you could do this blanket with scraps or odd balls or even just choose five colors that don’t blend together so easily. But I really do love the look of the color play, and I think it would be worth your time to find colors that play well together to get a similar effect.

This pattern is available for free from Purl Soho.

[Photo: Purl Soho]

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